Berkeley Parents Network: Chabot Elementary School

Berkeley Parents Network

Chabot Elementary School

Berkeley Parents Network > Reviews > K-12 Schools > Oakland Public Schools > Chabot Elementary School

Also see: We live in the Chabot district - worried we may not get in (May 2006)

Sept 2007

We're looking for more recent information/feedback on Chabot Elementary, particularly on ability to address individual needs of students, social/emotional development dimension, and also on how much of the time is spent doing worksheets, etc. We have 2 boys, one in private kindergarten, and we're probably going to try to place our 4 year old in public school... Thanks!! zoned for Chabot

You'll probably get lots of responses saying that ''Chabot is a great school'' and it is, for a public school, and for some private schools (but not many). It's not a great place if you have 2 full time working parents as you need to provide a lot of your own enrichment and assistance, and the after school program is ok but not inspiring. The school relies heavily on parent volunteers to do absolutely everything besides the main teaching of math and reading (no science program to speak of really and the art classes are by the numbers).

A big deal is made by all about how it's a neighborhood school and your kids can walk there and all their friends live close by. I've found that to be less of a big deal, and am personally more concerned with the quality of teaching than how close your child's friends live.

If you've had exposure to one of the great private schools in the area then you might be disappointed. You do save a lot of money though! Good luck with your decision, it's not an easy one. Feeling lukewarm about Chabot

We have two kids at Chabot, 3 years apart. What we've realized is that the quality of the education all depends on the individual teacher and the student. Some ''great'' teachers might not work for certain students, while others can bring out unexpected qualities in a student.

ALL public school teachers do have to meet certain criteria, but they do try and figure out the best way to get there that suits their personality and teaching style.

Our older child has had some particular issues that needed extra attention - and we found that most of the teachers have been sympathetic and keen to make things work for him. As for time doing worksheets - if you mean in the classroom - can't say for every teacher - they all have different approaches. If you mean homework - again, varies.

Some K teachers hand out the monthly homework packet as merely ''suggestions'', others expect it done and signed. And then with each progressive grade - it varies - they all have the same curriculum, but some add extra, some say it's nightly, some weekly. Some say ''all I want is an honest effort'' and some say ''about an hour every night of solid work''.

We like Chabot because we see a lot of parental involvement - a lot of support as well as criticism - which is good since it makes us really consider other approaches and solutions. It's not perfect, but what school is? But, then again, we didn't ''shop around'' since we can't afford private at all.

Sure, if we had the funds to find a private school that suited every aspect of our child's style, personality, issues I'm sure we'd be tempted...

One thing worth mentioning - Chabot will be re-built starting next year. Good and bad - since this will mean that the school will be a construction zone for awhile, and will be physically ''uncomfortable'' for awhile. But, like any remodel, the results will be totally worth it. Chabot Mom

Dec 2005

Hi, I was wondering if any parents could comment on Chabot Elementary. I remember hearing that Denise Saddler was an amazing principal, but she has promoted and there is someone new. HOw does he seem to be doing? Do they do project-based learning? Are the teachers supported and enthusiastic? I bet the parents are supportive. Does every kid who needs afterschool care get it? Or is there some kind of lottery for that? thanks!
looking at my options.

My daughter attended Chabot K-5. We had 3 yrs. of Denise Sadler and 3 yrs. of another principal. There were issues w/ both but it didn't matter that much because the parents are very strong there and the principals do answer to them. I do not know the new person but my guess is Chabot is still pretty great. The school has changed, it is more diverse than before which is good but it means kids from outside the area are coming which changes the demographic. This was not OK w/ everyone, I don't know if it's OK w/ you. The main issue is there are more kids who are struggling in classes than before. When my daughter was in 5th grade, over 95% of Chabot parents were college graduates, less than 1% on free lunch, that was 3 yrs. ago. Because it is not a Title 1 school parents raise funds for everything; library, computer, art, etc. And they do. As far as after school care, it is run by Adventure Time which is pretty good but it's day care, make no mistake about that. I was not aware of any lottery; but if you need it, sign up as soon as you know. Most of the teachers are good. I don't know any of the ones who have changed in the past 3 yrs. You should definitely arrange for visits of the kinder if that's what you're looking at, or whatever grade your child is entering. To sum up, I think Chabot is one of about 4-5 schools in Oakland that you can feel good about sending your child to. I say that both as a parent of 2 kids who went to elem. school in Oakland and a teacher who taught there. Good luck. anonymous

Oct 2004

Hello friends: I have a son starting kindergarten next year (Fall 2005) and I am planning to try intradistrict transfer. My question is for those of you out there who have considered intradistrict transfer to either Chabot or Peralta. Why did you choose one over the other? Are there pros and cons for each I should be aware of? Also, I'd appreciate any information about how you actually did the transfer process. Thanks-- Kate

Last year, I looked at both Chabot and Peralta and found them to be very different schools. You can get the basics on each school at www.greatschools.net (test scores, diversity, etc.), but to get a real feel for the school, you need to visit the school, talk to the principal, teachers and parents, and see the school in action. I think that's the only way to know if the school is a good fit for you. FYI, last year, they were decreasing the number of kindergartners at Chabot from 90 to 60, so transferring into Chabot next to impossible. I don't know what the situation is this year.

more responses: Peralta Elementary School

January 2003

We are thinking of sending our son to Anthony Chabot Elementary and I would be very interested in hearing any feedback about the school. Interested Parent

This is for parents re questions about Chabot School--we've been at Chabot for 4 years (w/ a semester break to try out a charter school that didn't work for us). The great things about Chabot--1) the new principal Denise Saddler (there for about 3 years now) w/ alot of energy, commitment to all kids, & who has worked effectively at increasing academic achievement of African American students & participation by African American parents;2) great ethnic & socioeconomic diversity of student body; 3) very active parent body, esp. at fundraising (although predominately white); 4) new ''reform'' efforts spearheaded by the principal and parents from Saturday school to help underperforming kids to new enriched and more culturally appropriate afterschool activities to the removal of a ''problematic'' teacher (after parent complaints for years & years) to a new community garden & curriculum.

Not so great things about Chabot--need to adhere strictly to Open Court requirements and do group teach rather than individualize student instruction. I met several months ago w/ the Oakland superintendent & deputy superintendent about bringing in flexibility and project-based learning to Open Court (based upon our child's needs)--they were very responsive and were going to pursue those changes this year--but then the fiscal crisis hit. But there's a strong parent & community organizing effort to keep the Superintendent in place, which would spell eventual flexibility to meet individual student needs in the reading program--but not sure when that will actually take place.

Good luck w/ whatever you decide--after struggling w/ school issues for so long (investigated the private school option & actually got into several good schools, tried charter school) we've realized that no educational experience will be perfect for your child and much of it is what your highest priorities are as a family and knowing that you will need to supplement the learning (be it creative engagement, critical thinking, or the standards) in some way at home. Margaretta

We are new to the area, and chose our neighborhood for Chabot School. The school has a nice, small, safe feel, and the facilities are nice. I like the principal Denise Saddler very much, and she is well connected, which results in many benefits for the school (special programs, nice grounds, more of a voice in the district). There is a strong PTA and lots of volunteers, and that also contributes to ''special'' programs like a school garden, many field trips, art, a wide variety of relatively inexpensive after school programs, library, etc. The students are diverse and really a great and interesting group of kids.

Open Court is not so exciting, but the teachers seem great and many of the kids are quite academic. There is a GATE program and a genuine interest in the needs of different kids...

We came from a more academically accelerated school previously, but for me socialization, safety and diversity are very important and Chabot offers all that. New Chabot Parent

2000

I have my 6 year old son at Chabot and I can't give it enough praise. Very caring teachers, but especially a super principal (fun, involved, active). What worked for us, too, is their after school care program, Adventure Time, right on site, run by Val and Valerie, who are experienced and loving and attentive. The school is being renovated and may not look like much at first sight, but I highly recommend it. Annet

1999

My two children have attended Chabot by way of intradistrict transfers, and the odds of getting in change from year to year depending upon the demand within the Rockridge neighborhood, and from "outside" neighborhood folks applying through the Oakland intradistrict transfer program. At the moment, because of considerable upgrades to the school facility and numerous other improvements in the school overall, there is a higher than normal demand for Chabot, or at least this is how it appears to me. The "normal" channel is to apply for a transfer by filling out paperwork some time in Feb. or March. I will try to keep up on this and notify the list when the Oakland transfer "window" period opens up--it's usually a 4-6 week period of time. You have to pick up the paperwork at the central OUSD Admin office down the street from the Oakland Museum on Tenth. Your priority is based on whether you have other children at the school, what after-care program you use, and no doubt other factors which aren't publicized (such as gender, race, etc.). No one in the intradistrict transfer office is very helpful or knowledgeable, so you have to sort of feel the process out for yourself, unfortunately. But here's the thing. Many times people get turned down through the intradistrict transfer process when there are spaces available at the school. So it's always a good idea to call the principal at the school (Wendi Caporicci 879-1060) and check in from time to time during the spring, and summer, and even during the first week of school. The more persistent you are at the school site, the better are your chances of getting in. This September, we had many available unfilled spaces, and we may still have unfilled spaces at various grade levels if anyone is interested.

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